255x85 R16 Tyre options

[Yorkshire_Jon]

All,
I need to replace my BFG MT 255 x 85 R16 tyres on my Defender 110.

I am a big fan of BFG tyres and have used them for many many years on various cars. This particular set has lasted for approx 112,000km.

My first thought was to get a set of the new BFG MT2 but I see also that Cooper do an ST Maxx in the same size but with an AT pattern - The AT pattern is probably a better choice for the type of driving I mostly do, but I have been very pleased with the MT pattern.

Any thoughts on which tyre performs better on the bitumen and is the more durable tyre? I realise one is a Mud tyre and the other is an AT pattern, my ideal tyre would be the BFG AT but they don't make it in 'my' size.

I have heard that the ST Maxx is very sensitive to tyre pressures, i.e performance is good IF the pressures are correct. From experience though the BFG seems to perform whatever the pressure in whatever environment.

Im not interested in other tyre sizes so please limit thoughts and responses to these two brands / sizes.

Opinions please... Stick with the BFGs or give the Coopers a go.

Thanks
Jon

[Slunnie]

I think the BFG is a much higher quality, more robust and more reliable tyre. I'm not at all keen to fit Cooper tires again to my vehicles, but have only used the 255/85-16 Cooper ST and STT, but not the ST Maxx.

[n plus one]

Watching with interest.

FWIW I'm (relatively) happy with my KM2s in 255/85 but happy to see more options. My KM2s are proving to be pretty quiet, reasonable hard wearing and good in the wet. That said, I have pierced one side wall, but I've since put that down to bad luck.

Just to clarify, do you currently have KM2s or the older pattern BFG MT?

PS Not sure if you're aware but the Maxxis Big Horn and the Toyo Open Country MT are also available in 255/85. Of all these tyres I would be most inclined to recommend the Toyo, but you need to grey import them.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

I currently have the older MT pattern.

[rick130]

Of all these tyres I would be most inclined to recommend the Toyo, but you need to grey import them.

No longer a grey import, Toyo Australia are now supplying them I believe.

[n plus one]

No longer a grey import, Toyo Australia are now supplying them I believe.

About bloody time!

Jon, FWIW my understanding and research (but no personal experience to verify) suggests that the KM2 is a much more refined on road tyre than the previous design.

[Yorkshire_Jon]

About bloody time!

Jon, FWIW my understanding and research (but no personal experience to verify) suggests that the KM2 is a much more refined on road tyre than the previous design.

Thanks - I was happy with the MT, sounds like I should be happier with the KM2 :)


No longer a grey import, Toyo Australia are now supplying them I believe.

Just spoken to Toyo Australia - They don't do 255x85 R16's.

[flagg]

I used to run Cooper, as did my father (my 110, his Defender) both of us were very disappointed. Huge amounts of chipping and cracking.. one of mine delaminated at highway speeds. As it was in so many pieces you could see how moisture had got in via one of the cracks and destroyed the tire from the inside out. They were not old or abused tires.

Other people swear by them and say they last forever.. but as soon as I see a crack now I don't care how much tread is left that tyre is going in the bin... that cuts their potential safe milage down a lot.

I now BFG KM/2 in 255/85 and I've never looked back. For a less aggressive tyre I would go the Toyo.

[Tombie]

Ozzy tyres will supply Toyo in 255-85-16 they are a fantastic tyre.

If it comes down to BFG vs Cooper vs Maxxis..
BFG all the way...

[Tombie]

Toyo Open Country M/T is brilliant. Better than the BFG and well past the others for grip, handling, mud clearing, noise and no chipping.

[Tombie]

Here is the Toyo pattern
94657

94658

[Photodude]

I went with a 265/75 Kumho road venture MT.
Has a directional pattern and could not be happy with them.
also got all 5 fitted and balanced for $1100
94663

[Photodude]

Ment to say
Could not be happier with them.
But note I only use these off road and they are fantastic on the road they are a little slippery in the wet.

[JoeFriend]

PS Not sure if you're aware but the Maxxis Big Horn and the Toyo Open Country MT are also available in 255/85. Of all these tyres I would be most inclined to recommend the Toyo, but you need to grey import them.

Any reason why you would stear clear of the maxxis? I freakin love their MTB tyres, wondering if that crosses over to their car tyres.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

[n plus one]

Any reason why you would stear clear of the maxxis? I freakin love their MTB tyres, wondering if that crosses over to their car tyres.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app

I wouldn't stear clear of the Maxxis, I just rate the Toyo higher.

But we're getting OT.

[rick130]

Any reason why you would stear clear of the maxxis? I freakin love their MTB tyres, wondering if that crosses over to their car tyres.

Sent from my SM-G900I using AULRO mobile app
I've run the 762's for years, they are fine.
Noisy, but who cares about that on a Defender, but fine.
IMO they were every bit as good as the old BFG KM's, maybe not quite as good in mud, but in my experience they have worked well in most conditions.

As Tombie said, ozzy tyres are selling the Toyo in 255/85 and I'd grab them if I had a chance, they have a fantastic reputation.

[PAT303]

I ran Toyo O/C's on one of my 2a's,they are an excellent tyre,I had an excellent run on Maxxis bighorns but they are softer than the rest,BFG's are a safe bet. Pat

[dero]

I was very disappointed with my last set of KM2's , 50,000km , I can get that from much cheaper tyres On the recommendation of the local bloke I went with Cooper AT3's this time , we shall see .

[DeeJay]

Ozzy tyres will supply Toyo in 255-85-16 they are a fantastic tyre.

If it comes down to BFG vs Cooper vs Maxxis..
BFG all the way...


Would there be some reason only the BFG come up as available in that size on their website??

[rick130]

Would there be some reason only the BFG come up as available in that size on their website??


TOYO 255/85R16 123P OPEN COUNTRY M/T | TOYO OPEN COUNTRY M/T Tyre - OzzyTyres | Ozzy Tyres (http://www.ozzytyres.com.au/toyo-255-85r16-123p-open-country-m-t.html)

TOYO OPEN COUNTRY M/T 255/85R16 123P (http://www.tyresales.com.au/tyres/toyo/open_country_m-t/255-85r16/101236?gclid=COHgvqXj-sUCFUQsvQodYy0ALA)

[mrb505]

Just happened to stumble on these
Toyo 2558516 119/116P Open Country M/T | Tyres | Tempe Tyres (https://www.tempetyres.com.au/tyreproducts'toyo-2558516-119-116p-open-country-m-t)
I’ve recently just bought new tyres :(

[Tombie]

We have these on the D2. They are a fantastic tyre - can not speak highly enough of them.https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2017/10/450.jpg

[mrb505]

I’ve had such a good run with Toyo’s I never buy anything else now

[tact]

Just happened to stumble on these
Toyo 2558516 119/116P Open Country M/T | Tyres | Tempe Tyres (https://www.tempetyres.com.au/tyreproducts'toyo-2558516-119-116p-open-country-m-t)
I’ve recently just bought new tyres :(

Tks for pointing to those. I reckon 255/85R16 is perfect on a TDCi. Running Maxxis MT now and was planning on going Toyo next round.

Curious though:
- The Toyo tyres Tempe list (above) have a 119 load rating.
- On the Toyo website they are listed as 123 load rating.
- Toyo office pointed me to Hornsby Tyrepower and price is way higher for the 123P version compared to Tempe tyres price for he 119P version
- $440 vs $249 each

You reckon maybe the cheapies are knockoffs?

[CS78]

Tks for pointing to those. I reckon 255/85R16 is perfect on a TDCi. Running Maxxis MT now and was planning on going Toyo next round.

Curious though:
- The Toyo tyres Tempe list (above) have a 119 load rating.
- On the Toyo website they are listed as 123 load rating.
- Toyo office pointed me to Hornsby Tyrepower and price is way higher for the 123P version compared to Tempe tyres price for he 119P version
- $440 vs $249 each

You reckon maybe the cheapies are knockoffs?

I have the 119 load rating. They are stamped made in Japan for what it’s worth.

[Tombie]

The 119s are fine - just slightly lighter.. you would be pushing to ever notice or need the extra

[mark2]

Do the 119's still have the 3 ply sidewall? $249 is a great price!

[Robmacca]

Just on a side note....

Can these 255/85/16 Tyres fit onto the old D1 Disco 7" Steel Rims by any chance? The specs says rims between 6.5 to 8" rims....

[Vern]

Yes

[Red90]

They will fit, but on a 110, probably rub on the rear spring perches. The Disco wheels have more offset than Defender wheels.

[Colmoore]

I had Wrangler AT's with the Kevlar sidewalls - lasted 65k and a lot of that was on nasty dirt roads. I did get a tech screw in one at 25k but spaghetti plugged it - lasted for 40k. When they were 80% worn I drove over Cape Range in WA; sharp limestone goat tracks! Saw 2 guys in cruisers with torn sidewalls - one had BFG's and the other Coopers, we didn't even get a flat and I was going a fair bit quicker than the other 2 blokes! I replaced them with Wrangler MT's for the OTT and the CREB and haven't had a flat.
I liked the dura track for its less aggressive tread pattern but they don't have Kevlar and that seems to make all the difference. I'll go back to AT's soon as they're nice and quiet.

[mark2]

Just happened to stumble on these
Toyo 2558516 119/116P Open Country M/T | Tyres | Tempe Tyres (https://www.tempetyres.com.au/tyreproducts'toyo-2558516-119-116p-open-country-m-t)
I’ve recently just bought new tyres :(

Looked into this a bit more and this might make you feel better. Any Toyo OC M/T 255/85/16 with a 119 load rating is a grey import. Official imports have a 123 load rating. There's not a lot in it and they're not a knockoff but there is a very high possibility that they've been in storage overseas for a number of years and effectively 'dumped' in our market where tyre age is not regulated.
Questions about the age of the tyres may be met with evasive responses...

[Tombie]

Looked into this a bit more and this might make you feel better. Any Toyo OC M/T 255/85/16 with a 119 load rating is a grey import. Official imports have a 123 load rating. There's not a lot in it and they're not a knockoff but there is a very high possibility that they've been in storage overseas for a number of years and effectively 'dumped' in our market where tyre age is not regulated.
Questions about the age of the tyres may be met with evasive responses...

Yes.. need to confirm age of tyres... anything up to about 2 years is ok for regular use as it will be worn out before it’s much older than 6 years (max)

[tact]

Looked into this a bit more and this might make you feel better. Any Toyo OC M/T 255/85/16 with a 119 load rating is a grey import. Official imports have a 123 load rating. There's not a lot in it and they're not a knockoff but there is a very high possibility that they've been in storage overseas for a number of years and effectively 'dumped' in our market where tyre age is not regulated.
Questions about the age of the tyres may be met with evasive responses...

Yeah I wrote back to the crowd quoting $440 each for the 123 load rated tyres asking about the much cheaper 119 rated tyres. They suggested that the 199 rated tyres from Tempe are likely grey imports, lighter construction, and wouldn't have the backing of Toyo warranty in Australia.

[mark2]

I pulled the trigger on a set of the grey import Toyo 255/85 M/T's. $203 each delivered to my door in QLD (with 10% ebay voucher)
Age of all 4 is late 2015 so not too bad in that regard - I was potentially expecting them to be a bit older. Made in Japan and 3 ply sidewalls. The 119 load rated tyres are an 8 ply D rating as opposed to the 123 load rating which is a 10 ply E rating. The 123 rated tyres weigh 27 kg each according to the specs and these dont feel that heavy, but are still a very solid feeling tyre with a stiff sidewall.

[tact]

I pulled the trigger on a set of the grey import Toyo 255/85 M/T's. $203 each delivered to my door in QLD (with 10% ebay voucher)
Age of all 4 is late 2015 so not too bad in that regard - I was potentially expecting them to be a bit older. Made in Japan and 3 ply sidewalls. The 119 load rated tyres are an 8 ply D rating as opposed to the 123 load rating which is a 10 ply E rating. The 123 rated tyres weigh 27 kg each according to the specs and these dont feel that heavy, but are still a very solid feeling tyre with a stiff sidewall.

What are you fitting them to? (rim?, vehicle?)

I have the Maxxis 255/85R16 on the stock boost alloys with no spacers on a DCPU (MY2013) - nothing rubs. Wondering if the Toyo 255/85 will fit as nicely.

[mark2]

What are you fitting them to? (rim?, vehicle?)

I have the Maxxis 255/85R16 on the stock boost alloys with no spacers on a DCPU (MY2013) - nothing rubs. Wondering if the Toyo 255/85 will fit as nicely.

I have them on a 7" rim and they fit great on this size rim. However, this is probably not going to help you - while they are on a 110, I have a Nissan Patrol front axle and and 80 Series rear axle.
With +25 backspacing, they are just flush with the stock flares. There is some rubbing on the lower inner lip at the back of the rear flares which I am going to trim, but plenty of clearance to spring towers. Almost touches the radius arms on full lock.

The Toyo's have a fair bit of sidewall lug, not sure how this compares with the Maxxis, but other than this, they wouldnt be significantly different I would think.